A draft amendment to the Education Law, which seeks to give parents more flexibility in enrolling their children in the first grade in the same year they turn six, is up for debate during Parliament’s weekly session on Tuesday.
The services committee has recommended approval of changes to Article Six of Law No (27) of 2005 on Education.
Currently, the law restricts the enrolment of children who have already turned six at the start of the school year. The new law would allow students who turn six at any time during the same calendar year – up to December 31 – to begin their basic education.
“The proposed change prevents unnecessary delays in a child’s education and supports working families who want to plan their children’s schooling without rigid cut-off dates,” said committee chairman Mamdooh Al Saleh.
The committee also proposed adding a clear definition of “compulsory school age” to the Education Law.
The new definition would read: “The compulsory age begins when a child turns six within the calendar year of enrolment and ends when they reach 15 years of age.”
However, the government has advised maintaining the current system, noting that existing regulations already give the Education Minister authority to allow younger children to enrol if space permits.
It also pointed out that Bahrain’s approach aligns with international practices, which typically set the school entry age at six.
Education Minister Dr Mohammed Mubarak Juma stated that the law already allows children up to four months younger than the legal age to begin school if parents wish, adding that such flexibility has been implemented since the 2023-2024 academic year.
The draft law comprises two articles – one amending the definition and age requirement in Article Six, and a second setting the date of enforcement following its publication in the Official Gazette.
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